Containers



Sept. 5, 1961 E. D. GILLAM 2,998,910

CONTAINERS Filed May 22, 1958 I5 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR Edward D. 61

ATTO R N EY Sept. 5, 1961 E. D. GILLAM 2,998,910

CONTAINERS Filed May 22, 1958 v 3 Sheetg-Sheet 2 58 INVEN T%R Edward 0-675 41? ATTO R N EY p 5, 1961 E. D. GILLAM 2,998,910

CONTAINERS Filed May 22, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 ATTORNEY United States Patent @flice Patented Sept. 5, 1961 2,998,910 CONTAINERS Edward D. Gillam, 911 Centennial Road, Penn Valley, Pa. Filed May 22, 1958, Ser. No. 737,076 2 Claims (Cl. 229----4 l) This invention relates to containers and more particularly to containers having an auxiliary reclosable hingedly mounted lid.

It is the principal object of the present invention to provide a container, preferably made as a tuck end box, having an integral liner and an auxiliary hingedly mounted lid.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a container which can be folded and glued on commercially available standard equipment now in use by folding box manufacturers.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a container which can be folded and glued in collapsed condition upon machines now available, and retained in a collapsed condition for shipping before filling.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a container made from a single integral blank which can be retained in flat condition foruse and which can be readily changed from flat condition to an opened position for filling. 1

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a container which can be set up and filled on standard filling and closing equipment by the products manufac turers.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a container having a liner and which is free from obstructions so that the same can be easily filled by hand and/ or by filling machines.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a container having an integral liner and in which the liner is positively aligned and positioned within the box.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a container having a liner and made from an integral blank in which the material is economically utilized with a minimum of waste.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a container in which, after filling and closing, the auxiliary lid may be swung open and swung closed, and when closed will be held in position by friction and retained in closed position.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a container having an integral liner and an auxiliary hingedly mounted lid which has a high degree of practicality and usefulness with economy of manufacture.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a container of adequate strength and rigidity and having a neat exterior and interior appearance.

it is a further object of the present invention to provide a container which can be packed in fiat condition until ready 'for use, readily opened for filling and in which the liner can be held from interior displacement upon opening for filling.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved container having a liner as an integral part thereof, and in which the liner is included in an improved manner.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a container of the reclosable type, but which is capable of having the articles to be carried readily reinsertable therein.

which can have a sealing spot or line gluing on the tuck.

flap or on the dust flaps for sealing the container upon closing.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a container, preferably made as a tuck end box and having an auxiliary hingedly mounted lid, in which a sealing spot or line gluing can be applied on the tuck flap or on the dust flaps at the time of filling and closing, and which will elfect delivery to the user of the box in unopened condition indicated by the separable holding of the lid.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a container, preferably made as a tuck end box, and provided with an auxiliary hingedly mounted lid which can have a sealing spot or line gluing on the tuck flap or on the dust flaps for sealing the container upon closing, so that the user is impelled to open the hingedly mounted lid for access to the contents.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved container of paperboard which is particularly suitable for the packaging of containers of materials such as pharmaceutical materials and the like.

Other objects and advantageous features of the invention will be apparent from the description and claims.

The nature and characteristic features of the invention will be more readily understood from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming part thereof, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of one preferred form of blank for making the container of the present invention, the blank being positioned with the finished or printed face thereof disposed downwardly;

FIG. 1A is a fragmentary plan view of a portion of a blank similar to FIG. 1 and showing the blank for making another preferred form of the invention;

FIG. 1B is a fragmentary plan view of a portion of a blank similar to FIG. 1 and showing the blank for making another preferred form of the invention;

I FIG. 2 is a perspective View, the blank being shown in a partially folded condition so that the interrelationship of the parts can be seen;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the container, one of the side panels being swung outwardly and parts being broken away to illustrate the details of construction;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the container in 1 set up and partially closed condition prior to filling;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the container after filling and showing the lid in open position for access to the interior;

FIG. 6 is a horizontal sectional view taken approximately on the line 66 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary perspective view of a container made from the blank shown in FIG. 1A, parts being broken away to show the details of construction;

FIG. 8 is a horizontal sectional view taken approximately on the line 8--8 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary perspective view of a container made from the blank shown in FIG. 113, parts being broken away to show the details of construction;

FIG. 10 is a horizontal sectional view taken approximately on the line 1il1(l of FIG. 9; and

FIG. L1 is a fragmentary perspective vview showing the application of glue to certain of the parts of the container. I I

, It should, of course, be understood that the description and drawings herein are illustrative merely, and that various modifications and changes can be made in the structure disclosed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, in.

which preferred embodiments of the invention are illpg.

asses)v trated, a blank for making one preferred form of the container is shown at B in FIG. 1, and is preferably constructed of a single sheet of material such as paperboard, cardboard, or similar tough, yet flexible, material, preferably finished on at least one face thereof for printing or other decoration, as desired. As shown in FIG. 1 the finished face or face which is ultimately outwardly disposed is positioned downwardly.

The blank B is provided with predetermined creases, slits, cutouts and shapes thereon to provide the desired constituent portions as hereinafter explained.

The constituent portions of the blank B preferably include an elongated rectangular side wall panel having a bottom wall flap 11 connected thereto by a transverse crease line 12 extending substantially the entire width of the panel 10. The panel 10 also has connected thereto, along a transverse crease line 13, a top wall fiap 14. The side wall panel 10 has connected thereto, along a longitudinal crease line 15, a front wall panel 16 preferably of elongated rectangular shape. The front wall panel 16 has connected thereto, along a transverse crease line 17 substantially aligned with the crease line 13, a top closure wall or panel 18 having an end tuck flap 19 connected thereto along a transverse crease line 20. The crease line 20 has side locking slits 21 formed thereon for holding the top closure panel 18 in locked condition upon insertion of the flap 19. The front wall panel 16 has a side Wall panel 25 connected thereto along a longitudinal crease or perforated line 26 parallel to the crease line 15. The side wall panel 25 is preferably rectangular in shape and of substantially the same size as the side wall panel 10 and has a bottom wall flap 27 connected thereto along a transverse crease line 28 aligned with the crease line 12, and extending substantially the entire width of the panel 25.

The side wall panel 25 also has connected thereto along a transverse crease line 29 aligned with the crease lines 13 and 17, a top wall flap 3t). Slits 31 are preferably provided between the top wall flap 14 and the top panel 18 and between the top wall flap and the top panel 18 to permit of easy separation at these locations.

The side wall panel 25 has a rear wall panel 34, preferably of rectangular shape. connected thereto along a longitudinal crease line 35, disposed in parallel relation to the crease line 26. The rear wall panel 34 is provided, in predetermined spaced relation to one end thereof, with a weakened or perforated line 32 to serve as a hinge. Cut lines 22 are provided at the ends of the weakened line 32 to provide a floating hinge and control of the frictional engagement of the auxiliary lid, as explained below.

The rear wall panel 34 preferably has connected thereto. along a transverse crease line 36, substantially in alignment with the crease lines 12 and 28, a bottom closure panel 37 which has a tuck flap 38 joined thereto along a transverse crease line 39. The panel 37 is sepaated from the flap 27 by a slit 33 extending to the junction of the crease lines 28 and 36 for easy separation. The crease line 39 has side locking slits 40 formed thereon for holding the bottom panel 37 in locked condition upon insertion of the flap 38, as hereinafter pointed out.

The rear wall panel 34 preferably has connected thereto, along a longitudinal crease or perforated line 41 parallel to the crease line 35, a glue flap 42 to the outside face of which glue g or other suitable adhesive is applied during folding and gluing.

The front wall panel 16 is provided, in predetermined spaced relation to the crease line 17, with a line slit 43 interrupted at one or more locations by a connecting piece 44 for permitting severing but retaining the portions of the panel 16 on opposite sides thereof in connected relation until the severing has been accomplished.

The side wall panels 10 and 25 are preferably provided with inclined line slits 45 in meeting relation to the slit 43 on the front wall 16 and in meeting relation to the hinge line 32 on the back wall 34. The location of the intersection of the slits 45 with respect to crease lines 15 and 26 aids in controlling the frictional engagement with the liner, as hereinafter explained. The slits 45 have connecting portions 46 interrupting the continuity thereof for retaining the side wall sections 10 and 25 in connected relation until severed.

The glue flap 42 is preferably also provided with a slit 47 for subsequent alignment with the slit 45, interrupted by connecting portions 48 for retaining the flap 42 in continuous relation until severed.

The front wall panel 16 preferably has connected thereto, along a transverse crease line 50 aligned with the crease lines 12 and 28, a central or front liner panel 51 having portions 52 of reduced transverse dimension to permit the locking by the slits 40.

The panel 51 has an access slot 53 in the end thereof for permitting visibilty of and easy access to the contents of the container and has an end margin which may have inclined portions 54. The liner panel 51 has connected thereto, along a longitudinal crease line 55, a side liner panel 56. The crease line 55 is parallel to, but inset slightly with respect to the crease line 15. The panel 56 along the outer longitudinal side thereof has a panel 57 connected thereon along a longitudinal crease line 58. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the panel 57 is formed to provide a rear liner panel and has a slot 57a cut therein so that upon the application of a glue line 3 on the inside thereof during folding and gluing, undesired adherence of the panel 57 to the rear panel 34 above the weakened line 32 will not be attained in a manner which would interfere with the desired hinging at this location.

As illustrated in FIG. 1A with respect to the blank B1, if no rear liner panel is desired, the panel 157 may be employed, as a glue flap and coated with glue g during the folding and gluing of the container, as hereinafter explained.

As illustrated in FIG. 1B with respect to the blank B2, if desired, the panel 57 may have an auxiliary glue flap 257 connected thereto along a longitudinal crease line 258 for subsequent attachment by glue applied on the finished side thereof at g during folding and gluing to the interior of the rear wall panel 34 but below the weakened line 32.

The liner panel 51 also has connected thereto, along a transverse crease line 59, a side liner panel 60. The crease line 59 is parallel to, but inset slightly with respect to the crease line 26.

The end margins of the liner panels 56 and 60 may have inclined portions 61, preferably formed as extensions of the marginal portions 54, for controlling the frictional contact upon opening and closing of the auxiliary top or lid. The side margins of the liner panels 56 and 60 can also he stepped back as at 62 to facilitate assembly and setting up so that after filling the tuck flap 19 can be readily inserted.

The blank B is preferably folded and glued by machine, and is preferably positioned initially with the finished face, or the face which provides the exterior of the container, downwardly.

During the folding and gluing operations, the lower face of the glue flap 42 has a coating or band of glue g, or other suitable adhesive applied thereto by glue wheels or stencil pads (not shown) during the passage of the blanks B, B1 or B2 through the machine.

If the rear liner panel 57 is employed, as illustrated with the blank B of FIG. 1, during the same folding and gluing operations, the upper face of the panel 57 is also provided, in a similar manner, with a coating or band of glue g.

If the glue flap 157, as shown on the blank B1 of FIG. 1A is employed, this is also given a coating or a band of glue g or other suitable adhesive on the upper face thereof during the folding and gluing.

If the panel 57 and auxiliary glue flap 257 are employed,

as shown on the blank E2 of FIG. 1B, the cutout 57a is not essential. The glue flap 257 during folding and gluing is given a coating or band of glue g on the-finished side thereof.

For purposes of folding and gluing, the blank B is preferably advanced through the machine in the direction indicated by the arrow on FIG. 1, and the liner panels 51, 56 and 60 and the parts carried thereby are moved together about the hinge line provided by the crease line 50 in the opposite direction from the direction of travel of the blank B until the inside of the panel 51 is in flat contacting relation to the inside of the panel 16.

The liner side panel 56, and the liner rear panel 57 with the adhesive applied to its unfinished face, are bent together about the hinge provided about the longitudinal crease line 55 to fiat condition on the panel 51 and with the unfinished face of the panel 57 extending in overlapped relation to the panel 60.

The rear wall panel 34, glue flap 42, the closure panel 37 and flap 3-8 are bent together along the axis provided by the longitudinal crease line 35 so that the inner face of the rear wall panel 34 is brought into adherent engagement with the adhesive coated inner face of the rear liner panel 57 for securing.

The side wall panel and flaps 11 and 14 are then bent together along the hinge line provided by the crease line 15, so that the inner face of the side wall panel '10 is moved into adherent engagement with the adhesive coated outside face of the glue flap 42. The carton in flat folded and glued condition is ready for shipping to the products manufacturer.

In the form of the invention illustrated in connection with the blank B1 of FIG. 1A, the folding and gluing operation is substantially the same as that previously described, the glue ilap- 157 being connected in a similar manner to the inner face of the rear wall panel 34.

In the folding and gluing of the blank B2 shown in FIG. 1B, the liner panels 51, 56, 60, 57 and the glue flap 257 with adhesive applied to the finished face thereof are moved together about the hinge line provided by the crease line 50, as before. The liner side panel 56, the rear liner panel 57 and the glue flap 257 with adhesive applied to the finished face thereof are bent together about the hinge provided by the longitudinal crease line 55 to flat condition on the panels 51 and 60- and with the glue flap 257 brought into adherent engagement with the inner face of the rear wall panel 34. The remaining operations of folding and gluing are the same as those previously described.

When it is desired to fill the carton, the carton is manually or automatically opened to a position for bending the end flaps 11 and 27 along the crease lines 12 and 28 to positions at right angles to the side panel 10 and side panel 25. The end flap 38 is bent along the crease line 39 and the closure panel 37 is bent along the crease line 36. The tuck fiap 38, bent along the crease line 39, is inserted past the ends of the flaps 11 and 27 and upwardly along the interior of the front liner panel 51. The slits 40 will retain the bottom wall panel 37 in locked position.

The container can thus be supported or stand upon the bottom closure panel 37 and in an upright position with the rear wall upright and facing toward the operator for manual filling, or can be supported on the front panel 16, the rear panel 34 or on one of the side panels 10 or 25, is required for machine filling.

It will be noted that when the container is set up, the liner panel 60 is in engagement with the side wall panel 25 and is simultaneously swung to position. The side liner panel 56, if the rear liner panel 57 is employed or if the glue flap 157 is employed, is simultaneously swung with the side wall 10 to the position for Similarly, if the rear liner panel '57 and glue flap 257 are employed, the rear liner panel 57 is swung to position in engagement with the rear wall panel 34.

The articles to be packaged can then be inserted through the closure panel 18 is bent along the crease line "17, and

the tuck flap 19 is inserted past the ends of the dust flaps 14 and 30 and downwardly in engagement with the interior of the rear wall 34. The locking slits 21 will retain the'top wall panel 18 in locked position. The dust flaps 14 and 30 and the tuck flap 19 may have spots of glue g applied thereto immediately prior to insertion of the articles 'to be packaged to provide a permanent closure at the top end but permitting the access through the auxiliary top T (see FIG. 11).

After the carton has been filled and shipped to the consumer, access to the interior is readily obtained by the consumer upon severing the relatively fragile connections at 44, 46 and 48, so that the auxiliary lid or top T can be swung about the floating hinge at the weakened line 32 and slits 22 to open position. It will be noted that the auxiliary lid or top T includes the closure panel 18, tuck flap 19, dust flaps 14 and 30, the portion of the side wall 10 above the slit 45, the portion of the front wall 16 above the slit 43, the portion of the side wall 25 above the slit 45 and the portion of the glue flap 42 above the slit 47, and that the top T remains in assembled condition for permitting repeated access to the interior of the container and with the top T moved to opened or closed position by the user as desired.

Upon swinging movement of the top T, a controlled frictional engagement of the upper portion of the front wall 16 and upper portions of the side Walls 10 and 25 with the front liner 51 and margins 61 of the side liner panels 56 and 60 is available for preventing undesired opening of the top T and retaining the top T in closed position when so positioned by the user. The control is effected by the floating hinge at the weakened line 32 and the slits 22, and (the positioning of the cut lines 45 with respect to the crease lines 13 and 29.

I claim:

1. A container made of a single piece of sheet material and having an outer section and an inner liner section, the outer section having, front, rear and side walls With a glue flap extending from one of said walls and in ad herent engagement with the interior of the adjoining wall, said outer section having opposite bottom wall flaps secured to the bottom margins of the side walls and a bottom closure panel hingedly secured to the rear wall, said side walls having top closure flaps hingedly secured thereto and said front wall having a top closure panel hingedly secured thereto, at least one of said closure panels having a tuck flap carried thereby, said liner section having an interior front wall panel of lesser width than said front wall, said liner section having side wall panels integral with said front wall panel, said front wall having said front wall panel hingedly secured thereto along its lower margin by a hinge centrally disposed along said lower margin and terminating inwardly with respect to the side margins of the front wall, said front wall panel being in non-adherent contact with the interior of said front wall and said side wall panels being in non-adherent contact with the interiors of said side walls, and said inner liner section having an integral portion connected by gluing to the interior of the rear wall to retain the interior positioning of said liner section.

2. A container made of a single piece of sheet material and having an outer section and an inner liner section, the outer section having front, rear and side walls with a glue flap extending from one of said walls and in adherent engagement with the interior of the adjoining wall, said outer section having opposite bottom wall flaps secured to the bottom margins of the side walls and a bottom closure panel hingedly secured to the rear wall, said side walls having top closure flaps hingedly secured thereto and said front wall having a top closure panel hingedly secured thereto, at least one of said closure panels having a tuck fiap carried thereby, said liner section having an interior front wall panel of lesser width than said front wall and side wall panels integral with said front wall panel, said front wall having the front wall panel hingedly secured thereto along its lower margin by a hinge centrally disposed along said lower margin and terminating inwardly with respect to the side margins of the front wall, said front wall panel being in nonadherent engagement with the interior of said front wall and said side wall panels being in non-adherent engagement with the interiors of said side walls, one of said side wall panels having an integral connection in adherent 5 access to the interior of the container.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 10 2,457,107 Verner Dec. 21, 1948 2,481,288 Cage Sept. 6, 1949 2,824,684 Ahlers Feb. 25, 1958 2,836,342 Ringler May 27, 1958 2,906,444 Weiss et al. Sept. 29, 1959 

